The El Paso Museum of History is asking the public to help track down a man who destroyed a Tibetan sand mandala that had been on display after the city’s Lunar New Year celebration. Staff say the intricate Medicine Buddha mandala was painstakingly built over several days, only for a visitor to slip behind the display and drag his fingers through the colored sand, wiping out the detailed design in seconds. The damage was discovered Thursday and reported to police. For a community event meant to celebrate health and peace, museum staff described the vandalism as deeply disheartening.
According to KFOX14/CBS4, the mandala was created by the Venerable Lama Losang Samten, who flew in specifically to construct the Medicine Buddha mandala for the museum. Museum curator Quetzaly Segovia told the station the incident was “very sad for our community” and said surveillance footage shows a man entering the gallery before the damage was discovered. The museum has posted photos and video on social media asking for help identifying the suspect, KFOX reports.
About the mandala and the artist
The installation, titled Losar: Creation of a Tibetan Buddhist Sand Mandala, was set up in the museum’s community gallery and opened to the public as part of last Saturday's Lunar New Year programming. As described by the El Paso Museum of History, the Medicine Buddha mandala is a healing ritual work made with colored sand and chakpur funnels, traditionally completed across several days. The museum’s exhibition page also highlights the artist’s residency and the public viewing schedule that led up to the festival.
Museum response and police
Museum officials say they have filed a police report and are asking anyone who recognizes the man in their posts to come forward, according to KFOX14/CBS4. The station reports that while surveillance video does not capture the exact moment the sand is disturbed, it does show one person entering the gallery and moving behind the display. KFOX also noted the station had contacted the El Paso Police Department for comment and was waiting on a response before airing any identifying images.
Why it matters
The mandala is more than a decorative centerpiece. Its creation and public unveiling were intended to offer healing and spotlight Asian cultural traditions during El Paso’s downtown Lunar New Year celebration. Coverage of the seventh annual festivities has underscored the museum’s role in expanding inclusive downtown programming, as reported by KVIA. In the wake of the destruction, museum leaders are using the incident to remind visitors that cultural and religious works on public display deserve the same respect as any other piece of art.
